A system comprising a photoacoustic module, an ablation module, and a processor. The photoacoustic module includes a light emitter and an acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor is configured to provide a sensor output corresponding to a modulated pressure detected in a target tissue in response to light from the emitter. The ablation module is associated with the photoacoustic module. The ablation module has an energy discharge port configured to contact the tissue at an ablation target and is configured to ablate the ablation target. The processor is coupled to the ablation module and coupled to the photoacoustic module. The processor is configured to execute an algorithm to provide an output signal indicative of the ablation progress and is configured to control the ablation module based on the sensor output.
